Course sub-headings

Course overview

Deakin University, Visual Communication Design program believes that design is what links creativity and innovation. Deakin aims to instil in students a belief that design can be an agent for change by encouraging them to shape their ideas into practical and attractive propositions for users, customers and society as a whole. Students are taught how to make ideas tangible and their abstract thoughts and inspirations realised in a professional and/or sociological context. Deakin's broad based definition of design respects the disciplinary overlaps of a changing profession, which now requires and more a holistic approach to problem solving via design thinking methodologies.

Deakin’s Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Communication Design) enables you to develop practical and theoretical skills in visual communication design. This course offers a dynamic combination of contemporary design theory with specialised studio practices and practical outcomes in a variety of design disciplines. It draws upon the expertise of its staff who are active practitioners in their fields, as well as visiting, special guest and casual academic staff. The Visual Communication Design program offers the opportunity to attend an international study tour and complete an internship as part of your course.

Fees and charges

Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is considered a standard full time load for one year of study. Each unit you study has an EFTSL value. You can add these together to calculate your study load for each year. Depending on enrolment, you may be enrolled in more than or less than the one EFTSL each year.

Commonwealth supported place (CSP) A Commonwealth supported place is one for which the University receives some Government funding. Students enrolled in these places are required to contribute only part of the cost of their course. To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place you must be an Australian citizen, or a New Zealand citizen or holder of a permanent visa who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your unit/s of study.

* The indicative annual course fee shown has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2016, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline. The 2016 CSP course fees may change if the Commonwealth Government's proposed fee deregulation and reforms legislation is passed.

The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2016 can be viewed from the Unit Search.

The fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.

Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on "indicative course fees" to calculate the total future cost of their course.

Australian citizens or holders of a permanent humanitarian visa, enrolling in a CSP, may be eligible for HECS-HELP to assist in paying their tuition fees. For more information about HECS-HELP visit the Study Assist website.

Fee-paying student A fee-paying place is one for which the University does not receive any government funding. Students enrolled in these places contribute the full cost of their course.

* The indicative annual course fee shown has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2016, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline. The 2016 full fee course fees may change if the Commonwealth Government's proposed fee deregulation and reforms legislation is passed.

The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2016 can be viewed from the Unit Search.

The fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.

Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on "indicative course fees" to calculate the total future cost of their course.

Australian citizens or holders of a permanent humanitarian visa, enrolling in a full fee place, may be eligible for FEE-HELP to assist in paying their tuition fees. For more information about FEE-HELP visit the Study Assist website.

Career opportunities

With a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Communication Design) degree, students will gain a range of skills that can be applied to a career in the exciting and creative fields of advertising, commercial design, web design and packaging. The program will give students opportunities to work with real clients and industry briefs so that they have a ‘working portfolio' at the finish of the degree. The program will offer students the opportunity to collaborate with students across arts disciplines to inform interesting dialogues and new art forms. This gives Deakin students a competitive edge in the industry, which will allow students to forge successful post-University career opportunities.

Transition to University study The faculty offers two units AIX160 Introduction to University Study and ALW117 Professional Writing for Work which are specifically designed to ease the transition into university study. New students are encouraged to enrol in one or both of these units in their first year.

PrerequisitesBecause a number of disciplinary studies are cumulative in knowledge, technical competencies and/or study and research skills there are prerequisites which direct students to take some units before others. Students must seek advice from a course adviser before enrolling in units for which they do not have prerequisite or recommended units.

Entry requirements - general

Deakin University offers admission to undergraduate courses through a number of Admission categories. In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record. For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection Policy visit The Guide.

Entry requirements - specific

For year 12/VCE entry: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or at least 20 in English other than EAL; and presentation of a portfolio of work to a satisfactory standard.

Credit for prior learning - general

The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.

How to apply

Applications for study for Trimester 1 must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre (VTAC). For more information refer to VTAC (external site).

Applications for Trimester 2 and Trimester 3 must be made directly to the University through the Applicant Portal. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the Apply web page. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.

Other Course Information

Assessment

Assessment within the award of Bachelor of Creative Arts varies from written assignments and/or examination to practical and technical exercises and performance. In some units assessment may also include class participation, online exercises, seminar exercises and tests.

Cross-institutional arrangementsContinuing Deakin students may apply to study units offered by another Australian tertiary institution and have them credited to their Deakin University degree. Further information is available from Arts Student Services.